Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 November 2019were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Cabinet Members on any matters within the powers and duties of the Cabinet, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to submit to questions to the Cabinet on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question had been submitted by a questioner who was not present at the meeting. It was stated that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, a written response would be provided.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.

At the time of publication no representations have been received.

The Leader of the Council invited the Cabinet to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 11 as this item contained information that was ‘not for publication’.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of following items:-

No representations had been received in relation to the above item.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution

The Mid Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first half of 2019/20, with a particular emphasis on the second quarter (July to September 2019).

The Cabinet is asked to: 

·         Review progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report;

·         Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in Section 3.2;

·         Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2019/20 as set out in Section 3.3;

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and collection Fund forecast positions as set out in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6;

·         Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in Section 3.7 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as at 30 September 2019;

·         Note the position for the 2019/20 Capital Programme as set out in Section 4;

·         Note the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in Section 4.4;

·         Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in Section 4.6;

·         Approve the 2019/20 forecast prudential indicators as set out in Section 4.7; and

·         Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or outturn issues or risks.

Officer Contacts: Peter Owston on 0151 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk; or Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email: jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the first half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the second quarter of 2019/20 (July – Sept 2019). 

The following issues were highlighted by the Leader and the Deputy Leader:-

·         The Leader had written to the Secretary of State to request confirmation on whether funding would be available to support residents in respect of issues related to flooding and had not yet received a response. She would pursue a response and when this was received it would be circulated.

·         Stockport Council had received an award in respect of their policies on Digital Transformation. The key message was that no one should be left behind and the award was something that the Council could be proud of.

·         The Regeneration of the Town Centre was something that the Council could be proud of and this was something that it was looking to develop with funding from the Mayoral Generational Fund. Additional plans would be published in the forthcoming weeks and the Leader was looking forward to the plans being released to the public of Stockport.

·         The Council had invested in the Highways Investment Programme. The Sustainable Transport offer was the key to its success. There was a need for an integrated Transport system in Greater Manchester. The Corporate, Resource, Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee had worked closely with the Cabinet on these proposals and the Cabinet would continue to consult with the Committee in the in the future.

·         The Deputy Leader of the Council highlighted the demand pressures that the Council still faced, as outlined in paragraph 3.3.1 of the report.

·         The pressures and reserve balance, outlined in paragraph 3.7.1 of the report, were healthy but the Council needed not to be complacent in respect of this.

·         There had been no announcement from the Government in respect of the Capital Programme grant from 2020-21 onwards so when this was received the Cabinet would examine this closely as to its implications.

Cabinet Members were invited to highlight any specific issues within their portfolios.

·         The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration referred to the grant awarded for Town Centre and District Schemes in the Town and that this would be utilised for the benefit of the public in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources Mid-Year Corporate Report for 2019/20:-

·               approval be given to the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2 of the report;

·               the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2019/20 as set out in section 3.3 of the report be noted;

·               the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast positions as set out in sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 of the report be noted;

·               the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.7 of the report and the resulting reserves and balances position as at 30 September 2019 be noted;

·               the position for the 2019/20 Capital Programme as set out in section 4 of the report be noted; 

·               the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 4.4 of the report be noted;

·               the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 4.6 of the report be approved; and 

·               the 2019/20 forecast prudential indicators as set out in section 4.7 of the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance

The Council is required to annually review the local scheme of Discounts and Exemptions which are available in respect of Business Rates and Council Tax.

Regulations allow for certain occupiers of non-domestic properties to be entitled to relief on the Business Rates payable. Some types of relief are mandatory but Local Authorities can further reduce the amount of Business Rates payable by awarding Discretionary Relief. Discretionary relief can either “top-up” mandatory relief or be awarded as a stand-alone discount. Stockport has agreed a number of local discounts for Business Rates.

The Council has also agreed a Council Tax premium charge in respect of properties that have been empty for two years or more, an exemption for care leavers and a localised Council Tax Support scheme, to help people who are on a low income.

This report outlines the current arrangements and any proposed changes as follows:

·         Section 2 – Funding Arrangements

·         Section 3 – Business Rates Discounts

·         Section 4 – Council Tax Empty Property Discounts & Premiums

·         Section 5 – Council Tax and Care Leavers

·         Section 6 – Council Tax Support

·         Section 7 – Discretionary Support

·         Section 8 – Council Tax Base

The Cabinet is recommended to approve the recommendations outlined in the report.

Officer Contact: Alison Blount on 0161 474 5107 or email: alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the impact of Business Rates and Council Tax discounts and exemptions and recommended that the schemes be maintained for 2020/21 with some recommended amendments as outlined in the report and further recommended that the Council Meeting note the Council Tax and Business Rates Discount Annual Review and approve the changes to the Business Rates and Council Tax Support and Discounts and Exemptions schemes.

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the proposals and welcomed the reaffirmation of support for Care Leavers and that support for Care Leavers was particularly important in the current climate.

RESOLVED - That, in relation to the Council Tax and Business Rates Discounts Annual Review, the Cabinet has:-

·         approved the recommendations outlined in the report and;

·         recommended that the Council Meeting notes the Council Tax and Business Rates Discount Annual Review and gives approval to the proposed changes to the Business Rates and Council Tax Support and Discounts and Exemptions schemes.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance

The report deals with the forecast Collection Fund outturn position for 2019/20, the setting of the Council Tax Taxbase for 2020/21 and also presents a forecast for Business Rates income for 2020/21.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

·                  Declare a forecast Collection Fund surplus of £1.194m in 2019/20 relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.547m and Business Rates surplus of £0.647m;

·                  Declare a forecast Collection Fund surplus to be distributed to the Council’s General Fund in 2020/21 of £1.109m relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.468m and Business Rates surplus of £0.641m;

·                  Note the 2020/21 Council Tax Taxbase for budget setting purposes of 96,241.2 Band D equivalent dwellings. The Council’s final 2020/21 Council Tax Taxbase will be presented for approval to the Council meeting on 16 January 2020;

·                  Provisionally approve the 2020/21 forecast for Business Rates income of £80.730m;

·                  Note the forecast benefit from the 2019/20 Pilot of £1.748m;

·                  Note the available one-off resources to support the Council’s 2020/21 Budget, MTFP and investment decisions; and 

·                  Approve the transfer of the 2019/20 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot benefit to Collection Fund Reserves as part of the 2019/20 financial year end process; and

delegate the following decisions to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council:

·                The decision to vary the Business Rates forecast presented in Table 5 and Table 6 of the report; and

·                The decision to continue in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Business Rates pooling arrangement.

Officer Contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email: jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the forecast Collection Fund outturn position for 2019/20, the setting of the Council Tax Taxbase for 2019/20 and a forecast for Business Rates income for 2020/21.

RESOLVED – (1) That in relation to the Stockport Billing Area - 2020/21 Council Tax Taxbase and Non Domestic Rates forecast, the Cabinet has agreed to:-

·         Declare a forecast Collection Fund surplus of £1.194m in 2019/20 relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.547m and Business Rates surplus of £0.647m;

·         Declare a forecast Collection Fund surplus to be distributed to the Council’s General Fund in 2020/21 of £1.109m relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.468m and Business Rates surplus of £0.641m;

·         Note the 2020/21 Council Tax Taxbase for budget setting purposes of 96,241.2 Band D equivalent dwellings. The Council’s final 2020/21 Council Tax Taxbase will be presented for approval to the Council meeting on 16 January 2020;

·         Provisionally approve the 2020/21 forecast for Business Rates income of £80.730m;

·         Note the forecast benefit from the 2019/20 Pilot of £1.748m;

·         Note the available one-off resources to support the Council’s 2020/21 Budget, MTFP and investment decisions; and  

·         Approve the transfer of the 2019/20 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot benefit to Collection Fund Reserves as part of the 2019/20 financial year end process.

(2) Delegate the following decisions to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council:-

·         The decision to vary the Business Rates forecast presented in Table 5 and Table 6 of the report; and

·         The decision to continue in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Business Rates pooling arrangement.

Report of the Cabinet Member the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The purpose of the report is to update the Council’s 2020/21 to 2022/23 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions taking account of local and national changes including the 2019 Spending Review and Technical Consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement announcements since the completion of the MTFP Summer Review. The report also details further work which has been undertaken since the MTFP Summer Review to ensure the forecasts and assumptions underpinning the MTFP remain robust.

The Cabinet are recommended to:

·                Note the details of the report including the announcements made by Government since September impacting on the 2020/21 Local Government Finance Settlement and Local Government funding beyond 2020/21;

·                Note the details of the 2020/21 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and the changes made to the Council’s revised MTFP as a result;

·                Note and comment upon as appropriate, the financial forecasts for 2020/21 to 2022/23, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council;

·                Note the £2.950m MTFP resource and the recommended options for use of the resource for consideration in the Cabinet Response to the MTFP;

·                Approve £3.032m use of the unallocated one-off resources to support the funding of the priorities set out in paragraph 7.4;

·                Note the £3.416m unallocated one-off resources identified and the recommended options for the use of the resource for consideration in the Cabinet Response to the MTFP; 

·                Note the budget reduction requirement for 2021/22 of £10.390m and £18.984m in 2022/23; and

·                Take the final steps necessary to propose a balanced budget for 2020/21 to the Budget Council meeting on 27 February 2020.   

Officer Contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email: jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to the Council’s 2020/21 to 2022/23 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions, taking account of local and national changes including the 2019 Spending Review and Technical Consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement announcements since the completion of the MTFP Summer Review and has agreed to

The Deputy Leader of the Council provided an overview of the report, emphasising: -

·         The context of the report was that this was a one-year settlement and therefore set out the direction of travel moving forward for the next year which was based on the 5 key themes outlined in page 138 of the report.

·         There were a number of demands and pressures, locally and nationally, which would impact on the budget to a total cost of £2.65m.

·         There needed to be detailed discussions in relation to the level of Council Tax to be charged prior to this being agreed in the Budget.

·         There was likely to be a modest outturn surplus of approximately £500k and the vast majority of savings proposals had now been agreed following consultation with the public. However, there were some proposals which needed further consultation before a decision could be taken.

RESOLVED - That, in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan, Update following the 2020/21 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement:-

·         the details of the report including the announcements made by Government since September impacting on the 2020/21 Local Government Finance Settlement and Local Government funding beyond 2020/21 be noted;

·         the details of the 2020/21 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and the changes made to the Council’s revised MTFP as a result be noted;

·         the financial forecasts for 2020/21 to 2022/23, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council be noted;

·         the £2.950m MTFP resource and the recommended options for use of the resource for consideration in the Cabinet Response to the MTFP be noted;

·         approval be given to the £3.032m use of the unallocated one-off resources to support the funding of the priorities as set out in paragraph 7.4 of the report; 

·         the £3.416m unallocated one-off resources identified and the recommended options for the use of the resource for consideration in the Cabinet Response to the MTFP be noted;      

·         the budget reduction requirement for 2021/22 of £10.390m and £18.984m in 2022/23 be noted; and

·         the final steps necessary be taken to propose a balanced budget for 2020/21 to the Budget Council meeting on 27 February 2020.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

This report is the latest update on the Cabinet’s medium term strategy and the second phase of its programme including a suite of proposals for 2020/21.This second phase includes a number of proposals that were presented to Cabinet in February and were agreed to be implemented following further development and review. In addition to this, there are further proposals which were presented to Cabinet in September and have been subject to consultation and engagement with a range of stakeholders.

Within this report the Cabinet outline the current financial context, provide an update on the medium term strategy, the approach taken to seeking and understanding views from our communities, partners and workforce and present a suite of proposals for consideration and approval.

The Cabinet are asked to:

·      Discuss and note the Cabinet’s position in relation to the MTFP and Budget (section 2 of the report).

·      Discuss the progress outlined within this report and note the considerations outlined in relation to consultation, equality implications and workforce implications (section 4 of the report).

·      Consider and approve for implementation the updated proposals appended (Appendices 4 – 14) to this report.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Cabinet’s budget proposals and choices for 2020/21, including information on further engagement that had occurred since the Cabinet meeting.

The Deputy Leader of the Council provided an overview of the report, emphasising: -

·         There were a number of areas which the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) were working on which would impact on the Council. However, possible Levy’s for these had yet to be determined.

·         Using Revenue Savings to reduce levels of Council Tax would be fiscally irresponsible as this would have a bigger impact in the long term as a result of likely additional cuts to the Council’s Budget by the Government in forthcoming years and pressures to the Council’s Budget in future years which it was aware of.

·         There were some significant one off revenue monies this year that the Council would invest in important projects to benefit the people of Stockport.

Cabinet Members welcomed the proposed investment in libraries and emphasised that the extension of Open Plus was a commitment to extending accessibility to buildings.

The proposed investment in Transport for Special Educational Needs would enable a co-ordinated approach and this was to be welcomed.

RESOLVED - That, in relation to the Cabinet Response: Our Medium Term Strategy – an update on our programme:-

·         the position in relation to the MTFP and Budget (Section 2 of the report) be noted;

·         the considerations outlined in relation to consultation, equality implications and workforce implications outlined in Section 4 of the report be noted; and

·         approves the implementation of the updated proposals detailed in Appendices 4-14 of the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration

Under the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Service Act 2017), Mayoral Combined Authorities were provided with powers to implement bus franchising schemes in their area. In June 2017 the Greater Manchester Combined authority (GMCA) exercised this duty, and instructed Transport for greater Manchester (TfGM) to prepare an assessment for a proposed bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.

AS required under the Act, authorities looking to implement a bus franchising proposal must consult widely about their proposals. There is also a requirement on the council to publish the consultation document relating to the proposed scheme, the assessment of the proposed scheme and potential alternative options, and the report prepared by the auditor.

The report provides a summary of the proposals and information abou the ongoing consultation exercise.

Officer contacts: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk   or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the proposed bus franchising scheme consultation response. Under Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Service Act 2017), Mayoral Combined Authorities were provided with powers to implement bus franchising schemes in their area. In June 2017 the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) exercised this duty, and instructed Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to prepare an assessment for a proposed bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.

As required under the Act, authorities looking to implement a bus franchising proposal must consult widely about their proposals. There was also a requirement on the Authority to publish the consultation document relating to the proposed scheme, the Assessment of the proposed scheme and potential alternative options, and the report prepared by the auditor. This report provided a brief summary of the proposals and information about the ongoing consultation exercise.

The Cabinet Member commented that the deadline for the response to be submitted was 8 January. He wanted Bus Franchising to be a success for the whole of Stockport. It had not been clear to him whether additional precepts would be required and clarification was sought on this in the consultation response. The proposal appeared to have widespread support so he was keen that things progressed.

RESOLVED - That, in relation to the Proposed Bus Franchising Consultation Response, the delegation of the submission of the final Council response, to the Corporate Director, Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member Economy and Regeneration be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval ‘in principle’ for the Council to acquire compulsorily, pursuant to and in accordance with the “Guidance on Compulsory purchase process and The Crichel Down Rules” issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in 2019, land and existing rights and interests where agreement cannot be reached to implement a scheme to create an important pedestrian access between the Interchange building and Stockport Railway Station consisting of a bridge over Daw Bank and associated pedestrian / cycle route to Station Road. 

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(a)       agree in principle to the use of CPO powers, if necessary, to acquire land and existing rights and interests in the proposed order land, where acquisition by agreement is not possible;

(b)       agree to authorise officers to take all necessary steps to commence the process for the making, confirmation and implementation of a CPO, including securing the appointment of suitable external advisors and preparing all necessary CPO documentation; and

(c)       note that a further report will be presented to the Cabinet to approve the making of a CPO and to confirm the extent of the order land to be acquired following the finalisation of the necessary preparatory work.

Officer contacts: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 , email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk or Robert Goulsbra on 0161 218 1764 , email: robert.goulsbra@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval in principle for the Council to acquire compulsorily, pursuant to and in accordance with the “Guidance on Compulsory Purchase and The Crichel Down Rules” issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in 2019, land and existing rights and interests where agreement cannot be reached to implement a scheme to create an important pedestrian access between the Interchange building and Stockport Railway Station consisting of a bridge over Daw Bank and associated pedestrian / cycle route to Station Road.

RESOLVED – (1) That, in relation to the Stockport, Interchange, Land Acquisition at Exchange Street Compulsory Purchase Order Resolution,:-

·      approval be given, in principle, to the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers, if necessary, to acquire land and existing rights and interests in the proposed order land, where acquisition by agreement is not possible;

·      officers be authorised to take all necessary steps to commence the process for the making, confirmation and implementation of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), including securing the appointment of suitable external advisors and preparing all necessary CPO documentation;

·      that it be noted that a further report will be presented to the Cabinet to approve the making of a CPO and to confirm the extend of the order land to be acquired following the finalisation of the necessary preparation work; and

(2) That it be agreed that any trees removed as part of the implementation scheme shall be replaced in accordance with the Council’s approved Tree Management Policy.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution.

This report provides the latest six monthly update of the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) implementation plan and performance dashboards. The update provides progress against the agreed delivery milestones and ambitions, and updates the outcome measures for each of the GMS priorities. The updated plan also provides new delivery milestones for the next nine months. This item was considered at by GM Scrutiny Committees, as an information item for GMCA in November and at CRMG Scrutiny in December.

The Cabinet is asked to note and agree the updated GMS Implementation Plan and Performance Dashboard, considering overall progress towards the achievement of the GMS 2020 ambitions and targets, including the specific actions, updates and measures relating to Stockport.

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the latest six monthly update of the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) implementation plan and performance dashboards. The update provided progress against the agreed delivery milestones and ambitions, and updated the outcome measures for each of the GMS priorities. The updated plan also provided new delivery milestones for the next nine months.

Councillors commented that there was a significant issue in respect of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in babies and not enough was being done to take into account issues of alcohol and drugs with pregnant women. While it was noted that the NHS was undertaking a number of activities to address this issue, it was commented that much more work needed to be done.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet has noted and given approval to the updated ‘Greater Manchester Strategy - Implementation Plan and Performance Dashboard’.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that has been circulated to Cabinet Members only).

The report details a proposal to appoint a Facilities Management & Asset Management Service Provider, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration at the meeting of 6 January 2020.

The appointed supplier will provide Facilities Management services across the entire Stockport Council property portfolio including schools on a buy back arrangement. The suppler will also provide Asset Management Services across the operational and school estate.

The Cabinet are recommended to approve the award of a 5 year contract (plus one optional three year extensions) to the supplier identified in the confidential appendix to this report for the provision of both Facilities and Asset Management Services.

Officer contact: Charlotte Cordingley on 0161 474 4240 or email: charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) apprising the Cabinet of the procurement activity undertaken to appoint a Facilities and Asset Management Services provider for an initial contract term of five years.

(NOTE: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices that had been circulated to cabinet members only).

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the Award of Facilities and Asset Management Services Contract, approval be given to the award of a 5 year contract (plus one optional three year extensions) to the supplier identified in the confidential appendix to the report for the provision of both Facilities and Asset Management Services.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

This Pay Policy Statement (the ‘statement’) sets out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.  The statement also has due regard for the associated statutory guidance including supplementary guidance issued in February 2013 and the Local Government Transparency code 2014. The statement also incorporates the Councils Gender Pay Gap (GPG) information as the Council is now required to publish this on an annual basis under the GPG reporting requirements.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(i)           approve the Pay Policy Statement for the Council prior to its adoption at the Full Council meeting to be held on 16 January 2020; and

(ii)          agree to publish the Council’s Gender Gap information.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2020/21. The purpose of the statement was to provide transparency with the Council’s approach to setting the pay of its employees (excluding teaching staff working in local authority schools) by confirming the methods by which salaries of all employees were determined; the detail and level of remuneration of its most senior staff i.e. ‘chief officers’, as defined by the relevant legislation; the responsibility of the Appointments Committee to ensure the provisions set out in this statement relating to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Directors and Service Directors are applied constantly throughout the Council and recommend any amendments to the Council. The report also included the Council Gender Pay Gap figures for 2020.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2020/21:-

·         the Pay Policy Statement for the Council prior to its adoption at the Full Council meeting to be held on 16 January 2020; and

·         the Councils Gender Pay Gap Information be published.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance

The report provides the Monitoring Officer’s proposals that were agreed by the Constitution Working Party to amend the Council Meeting Procedural Rules (Part 5 of the Constitution pp 199 to 216 of the Constitution) with further amendments requested by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet is requested to:-

·         Consider the proposed schedule of revisions to the Council meeting Procedure Rules that have been developed following consultation with the Constitution Working party, and make any comments prior to its consideration by the Council Meeting.

·         Note that as the rep[ort proposes to make changes to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 24.2, the proposed amendments, once moved at the Council meeting on 16 January 2020, shall stand adjourned until the next ordinary Council Meeting on 2 April 2020.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out proposals from the Monitoring Officer to amend the Council Meeting Procedure Rules which had been considered and supported, with amendments by the Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource, Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the Proposed amendments to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules – Part 5 of the Constitution:-

·      approval be given to the amendments to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules, as outlined in the report, and these amendments be considered at the Full Council meeting to be held on 16 January 2020.

·      it be noted that as the report proposed to make changes to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 24.2, the proposed amendments, once moved at the Council Meeting on 16 January 2020 shall stand adjourned until the next ordinary Council Meeting on 2 April 2020.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance

The report proposes amendments to the published Business Programme for 2020/21 and considers the proposed Business Programme for 2021/22 following the agreement of all the political groups on the Council facilitated by the Constitution Working Party.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the proposed amendments to the Business Programme and recommend that the Council Meeting gives approval to the revisions to the programme.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out proposed amendments to the published Business Programme for 2021/22, following the agreement of all the political groups on the Council facilitated by the Constitution Working Party.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to amendments to the Business Programme for 2020/21 and 2021/22, the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the Monitoring Officer’s recommendations (as agreed by the Constitution Working Party) on the proposed revisions to the Business Programme as detailed in Appendix A and B of the report.

There were no recommendations to consider.

There were no recommendations to consider.